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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tendency on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:45
I'm 100 twice a day. ok to taper at 50 mg per week?
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:45
In reply to how fast to taper off lamictal?, posted by tendency on March 30, 2005, at 17:53:41
> I'm 100 twice a day. ok to taper at 50 mg per week?
You should ask your pdoc, but mine just told me (today--such a coincidence) that you can taper down very quickly. I'm on 200 and she said I could be off it in 3-4 days!
EE
Posted by Maxime on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:45
In reply to Re: how fast to taper off lamictal? » tendency, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 30, 2005, at 21:49:59
Tendency, I was on 150 mg or 200 mg and I just stopped it. Once I realised how depressed it was making me I didn't think about tapering it. Anyhow, I didn't suffer any ill effects.
Maxime
Posted by Minnie-Haha on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:45
In reply to how fast to taper off lamictal?, posted by tendency on March 30, 2005, at 17:53:41
Unless you're having a severe allergic reaction/rash (which it doesn't sound like you do), I would spread it out over a couple weeks. Best to talk with your pdoc. Are you going to start up on something else while you're tapering off the Lamictal?
Posted by tendency on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:46
In reply to Re: how fast to taper off lamictal? » tendency, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 31, 2005, at 10:47:55
> Unless you're having a severe allergic reaction/rash (which it doesn't sound like you do), I would spread it out over a couple weeks. Best to talk with your pdoc. Are you going to start up on something else while you're tapering off the Lamictal?
>i've been on it for 10 months so i dont think it wise to stop cold turkey. think ill take a couple weeks to taper off it. i plan to see how i feel for a bit then decide my next course of action. been considering trileptal or neurontin
Posted by Sebastian on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:46
In reply to how fast to taper off lamictal?, posted by tendency on March 30, 2005, at 17:53:41
Took me no time to taper. Went from 100 mg a day to 50. Then Within a week went to 25 for a day and then none.
Posted by Spriggy on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:46
In reply to Re: how fast to taper off lamictal?, posted by Sebastian on April 1, 2005, at 11:58:19
This site tells you how to taper off:
crazymeds.org
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 5, 2005, at 0:25:46
In reply to Re: how fast to taper off lamictal?, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 11:50:49
In case you are interested, I just did a quick taper off of Lamictal and it seems to have gone well. I started on Wednesday cutting from 200-100, the to 75, then to 50, then to nothing. I didn't really notice any side effects except for maybe not sleeping as well, but it was pretty minor.
Best,
EE
Posted by Alexandra_nyc on June 18, 2005, at 22:33:59
In reply to Re: how fast to taper off lamictal?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 3, 2005, at 14:40:14
Hi--not sure if anyone's still reading this thread, but this past week I've tapered off from 50, down to 25 the next day, then nothing. I read a bit about the rare seizures that can result from sudden withdrawal, and of course now every headache worries me, but I seem to be basically fine, although I'm fairly jittery and quick to irritation. I also have that familiar withdrawal feeling in, for some reason, the back of my right hand (the place I used to feel it when I missed a dose or was late taking one). It feels temporary, but it definitely feels like I'm kicking an addiction (I'm hot, heartbeat is a little faster, feeling sort of squirmy, etc.), and I wish I'd tapered off more slowly. I hope this is as bad as it gets.
As for the person whose doctor didn't warn her about the bad version of the rash, I think that's incredibly irresponsible. My doctor talked about that so long I almost didn't start taking Lamictal, but then new studies came out and I was reassured.
> In case you are interested, I just did a quick taper off of Lamictal and it seems to have gone well. I started on Wednesday cutting from 200-100, the to 75, then to 50, then to nothing. I didn't really notice any side effects except for maybe not sleeping as well, but it was pretty minor.
>
> Best,
> EE
Posted by Faerie-Witch on September 22, 2005, at 12:34:28
In reply to Re: how fast to taper off lamictal?, posted by Alexandra_nyc on June 18, 2005, at 22:33:59
My sister and I were both on a combo of Lamictal and Seroquel. She quit before me and our Psychiatrist told us that she could quit cold-turkey, that there were no withdrawal symptoms or worries. She had already quit Seroquel and then she was working on Lamictal. Well, a bit after she went cold-turkey she had a "flu" for a week! Hot and cold flashes without a fever, nausea. She stayed in bed. She was also on Welbutrin, which I understand quitting is different if you are also taking other meds. Well, I quit both Lamictal and Seroquel at the same time after weaning for under a week and not taking any other meds. (Upon start of weaning I had diarrhea and was so tired I missed nearly two days of work!) The day after I quit altogether, (yesterday), I went into work only to throw up 4 times in my trash can and lie down in the back room at lunch with a make-shift "fedex pillow!" (Yes, stuffed with paper!) I had hot and cold flashes without fever. I left work a bit early only to throw up when I got out of my car and throw up again 10 paces away! I slept for 3 hours, got up to throw up several more times. My boyfriend made me a shake because I couldn't eat. I lie there for an hour trying to hold it down but I eventually was unsuccessful! I called my sister who told me to take a Lamictal to see the next day, (today), if I really had the flu or withdrawals. I took my whole dosage, (1 200MG tablet), of Lamictal and 1/4 dosage of my seroquel, (I took 50MG). I didn't go into work today and slept until 11 AM. IT is nearly 1:30 PM, my "flu" symptoms are gone, I've eaten, walked around, been up for 2-1/2 hours. One day flu or withdrawal symptoms? My bet is on the latter. I think my doc should keep up on the latest meds, especially if he is going to prescribe them! And if what I read on this website is true, the seizures can occur even without a history of seizures from going cold turkey off of Lamictal, I guess I should count my blessings. I lost time at work but at least the potential worst didn't happen. I have had the flu before and it never felt like this! I couldn't walk or talk for long without having to throw up. I would not suggest going cold-turkey. I think the info on this website is very informative and important. Consider the 1/2 life of the drug, consider what other meds you are taking, consider how long it took you to go up in dosage and use that info to consider how long to wean off. In my case I know talking to the doc is important but ALWAYS self-educate yourselves. Peace, love and good-luck to all who decide to quit your RX. I am on a pursuit of alternatives now to include much research and visits to my local health food store for supplements. On a final note, my sister told our psychiatrist that she was going to eat better, including raw veggies and fruits and chicken and fish, and he told her if everyone ate that way he'd be out of business. Think about that one!
Blessed be!
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